Post Easter

Well Easter is now done and dusted and we are home from our holiday at the van. Mainly relaxed because I am still getting over yet another bug,!

The weather has turned really cold. I am all rugged up in my winter woolies trying to keep warm.

The easter bunny came to Greg and Popgirl and they were both very happy!

Which one is the cutest???

Flower and Garden Show

Loretta and myself went to the annual flower and garder show held at the Exhibition Building Park. It was perfect weather about 26 degrees celsius and although crowded we were not shoulder to shoulder.

The exhibitions were really great, especially the 'small backyard ,gardens. Especially creative were the floral displays, my goodness those students have wonderful imagination.

By the time we both got home we were exhausted, walking around for 5 hours tires out 62 year olds!

Flowers for sale.

Humpty Dumpty (who obviously was an egg) fell of the wall and when
 he broke in half all the egg yoke came out. This display is all done with flowers.

One of the floral exhibitions

I love this floral exhibition made to look like a soccer goal area.

After all these years of water restrictions, the beautiful water
feature at the Exhibition Gardens is again operational.

By the time we both got home we were exhausted, walking around for 5 hours tires out us 62 year olds!

37

Today I (like thousands of others) I watched the funeral of Jim Stynes, he died of cancer after 3 years of operations, pain and mental toughness, aged 45.

There was a few facts I knew about Jim Stynes prior to his death:

• He was recruited from Ireland by the Melbourne Footy Club when he was about 18.
• He stayed with the Melbourne footy club all his career
• He kicked the winning score for the opposition in a semi final.in about 1987 (he got the ball then kicked it in the wrong direction)
• He won the Brownlow medal
• He had an OBE
• He was President of Melbourne Footy Club
• He was a co-founder of a youth organisation called REACH.

I found out today there was much, much more to Jim Stynes than what I ever would have realised. I found out he was an 'honorable man'. Yes, you read correctly a truly honorable man.
Jim was the eldest of 6 siblings and each and every one of them  looked up to Jim, they respected him, they listened to him. Even though Jim was in Australia and his family in Ireland, Jim made sure that family spirit was never forgotten. When his siblings came over to Australia, Jim guided them, helped to find work and ensured they were happy and settled, in other words he was there for them. Family was truly everything to Jim.

Then there was his work in REACH. I am not going to even try to articulate what he did at REACH, I watched a short video of him working with those kids in need and it was one of the most beautiful and natural sights I have ever seen.

I also learnt Jim would go to schools (as well as many other venues) and talk about bullying. Jim believed education was the key to assisting kids to make the right decisions. Jim was so very generous with his time, yet he was still able to have time for his children and family.

Nothing was too much trouble when it came to assisting young people to discover the  right path to take in life. Doing the right thing is not easy, at times it takes guts and determination but the final result is so very worth it is what I imagine Jim saying. Even while he was so very ill and in pain, somehow Jim  would find the energy  and determination to keep going.
Jim was described as a 'simple sole', maybe so but he was a 'great man' and his legacy will live on.

I found out that Jim's footy guernsey was number  37, that is the reason I have named this posting 37. I am going to inspire myself when I am feeling down or when I am feeling sorry for myself by saying out aloud 37. That will be enough for me to think of Jim and his courage and determination and not be so self centred and negative with my petty concerns.

After such inspiration from Jim, I want to be a better person and do more for my fellow human beings. I am going to really try hard, I will never achieve the same heights as Jim but I am going to try and make a difference in some small way.

Remember , when you are experiencing negative thoughts think 37.

That's a thought.....perhaps we should have a 'think 37' day for people to do something good for their fellow human beings. It could be taking an elderly person out for the day (from their nursing home), volunteering to feed the homeless or giving your time to somebody who needs it. The possibilities are endless.

 

Garden Cleanup

Well it has been a very busy 3 days. I decided it was time to have a big cleanup in the garden front and back. Did a lot of tree trimming and weeding. I made one of the garden beds in the front a little smaller and took out the Iris bulbs.  Had to get a lot of help from husband extroadinaire, afraid I can't do a lot of the heavy 'stuff' these days.

When all was done I gave everything a good feed with fertiliser and some blood'n' bone, let's hope this keeps all nice and healthy once winter gets here.

Of course Queen Popgirl supervised from her outside bed, what a life she has.

Both Greg and myself were a little tired late Sunday afternoon after all of our hard work, so we had a little laydown. Unbeknown to us, the side gate was open and you know who decided to take herself for a walk. She is very lucky to be in one piece, silly girl walked onto the road and nearly got hit by a car. Luckily the neighbour saw her wandering around and came and knocked on the door so Greg could go and rescue her.  VERY BAD DOG.

Husband extroadinaire doing some weeding
in the back yard.

Back yard looking nice and tidy after a bit of
tree trimming.

The front garden looking beautiful. It takes a lot
of work looking after a garden!

The Caravan

Being the long weekend (10th March to 12th March), we all went to Heathcote and stayed at the 'Van" for a few days. The weather was perfect, sunny but not too hot. Greg spent a couple of hours cleaning the outside of the annexe and van, it sparkles like new now.  Popgirl went for her usual walks in the bush, I think she is a country girl at heart.  We had capacinos in one of the cafes, lunched at the antique shop and had zuccinni and corriander soup (hmmmmmm delicious) and checked out a few of the other little shops.  Overall a very relaxing weekend!

The country property looking towards the front.
Husband extroadinairebuilt the patio.

The 'van' with the sunblinds down. It can get a bit on the
warm side in Heathcote. The annexe is on the other side.

Inside the annexe. This is our lounge room. 
The extra bed is for Popgirl.

The rear of the van and annexe.



The caravan park in Heathcote

A view of the park where our van is kept.

Poppy's Story

Poppy is a retired greyhound and was adopted from the Seymour kennels when she was 2 years old. She was extrememly nervous and timid when we got her and took many, many months for her to find her confidence. Since that time she has taken over our house and is the centre of attention.  Popgirl (as we also call her) turns 9 years old in July so I suppose you would say she is past her prime and has entered old age. Both Greg and myself adore Poppy. She would have to be the most spoilt pooch on planet earth.

How cute is she!

Dale and Brooke's Engagement

Saturday 25th February is a night to always remember. Our nephew Dale got engaged to the lovely (and special) Brooke. We had a wonderful time at the Mahong Family Hotel (near Bendigo).  The food was fantastic,  the venue was  a perfect setting for the party and catching up with family was great.
Brooke looked stunning and Dale was so handsome. He smiled all night, it is clear to see how much they love and respect each other

Dale with his very proud
uncle Greg.


Left to Right
Cheryl, Elyse, Brooke, Dale, Stephen and Roslyn (Dale's mum)

This engagement cake was made by the multi
talented Brooke.


<><> <><> <><>

Brooke is keeping a very close eye
on the way Dale is cutting her
very special cake.



Dr. Greg Knows Best

Greg is wondering around as if he leg is fully repaired, he even got up on the ladder yesterday and cleaned the roof gutters!  He has himself convinced the specialist is going to give him the all ok when he goes to his appointment next week. Stay tuned to this space.

Communication by Blog

I have been meaning to create a blog for a number of years  but somehow never got around to doing it. Well 2012 is here and I have decided to get right up there with technology.

Hopefully this will be useful for my daughter to assist her in keeping up to date with news from Australia and most importantly I will be able to provide friends and family updates on our travelling.

Greg and Cheryl

Mum and daughter

Tracie Rae

Husband Extroadinaire